This book provides a wide-ranging comparative analysis of contemporary economic, social, political and environmental change in small islands, island states and territories, through every ocean. It focuses on those island realms conventionally perceived as developing, rather than developed, in the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
John Connell examines the decline of agriculture and the rise of tourism, the problems of urbanization, and the particular role of migration and remittances, within a culture of migration. He seeks to balance economic challenges with environmental threats, notably that of climate change, and social changes with the survival of culture, pointing to awkward and hybrid development futures.
This unique study comprehensively balances environmental, social and economic changes to provide a more wide-ranging assessment of sustainability that will be invaluable for academics and postgraduate students on environment and international development courses.
Contents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. Islands and Political Economies 3. The Historic Core: Agriculture and Fisheries 4. Towards Modern Economies? 5. Urban Futures? 6. Leaving the Islands: International Migration 7. Environmental Change 8. Islands at Risk? References Index
Industry Reviews
'This is a considered volume by a considerable scholar of island studies, John Connell of the School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, who has been writing on islands, principally in the Pacific, for decades amongst his wider research output within geography . Islands at risk?, then, is a product by a mature scholar building on much study within the realm of islands. . . The material is as rich as could be hoped, the discussion scholarly and authoritative, backed up by a mighty reference list running to 75 pages. Anybody interested in island studies must get this book, whilst it speaks also to those studying or teaching and/or researching into development studies and the environment.' -- Stephen Royle, Australian Geographer
'The pitfalls of trying to generalise about islands and what is happening on them are primarily twofold. First, there are so many islands whose peoples and environments are buffeted by forces that are hugely diverse, sometimes even rendering comparisons between islands in the same subregion problematic. Second, almost every reader of Connell's book with some experience of SISI would, I imagine, have a set of preconceived ideas about these that is biased geographically or thematically, and therefore, perhaps automatically disposed to seek reasons to criticise such a global survey. The fact that this reviewer, who falls squarely within this group, can find little fault with what is written is testi- mony to Connell's almost unmatched knowledge of islands and understanding of the reasons they are at risk. Highly recommended.' -- Patrick Nunn, Geographical Research
'Islands at Risk? Environments, Economies and Contemporary Change by John Connell provides a wealth of information to readers on environmental and economic patterns of development in small islands and small island states (SISIs). . . Overall, this book is a welcome resource to the literature on small island economies and societies. It contributes to extremely important and ongoing discussions.' -- Urban Island Studies
